Flotation method for oxidized ores

Abstract

In a method for enriching oxidized ores by froth flotation, use is made, as collector, of a combination comprising : at least a first compound selected among amino-l-alkane products having the general formula R 1 - (NH CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 )n NH 2 , wherein R 1 is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon group containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and at least a second compound selected among amino-ether products having one amino function and at least one ether function, of the general formula R 2 - O - (CH 2 CH 2 O)n - CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , wherein R 2 is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched- chain hydrocarbon group containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer ranging from 0 to 2.

What is claimed is as follows: 
     
       1. A method for enriching oxidized ores by froth flotation, wherein use is made, as collector, of a combination comprising (1) an amino-1-alkane of the formula   R.sub.1 --(NH CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2)n NH.sub.2       wherein R 1  is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon group containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and   (2) a monoether-monoamine of the formula   R--O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2       wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon group containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the ratio of the amino-1-alkane to the monoether-monoamine ranges from 4:1 to 3:2.     
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the alkylamine-etheramine combination is used in the form of water-soluble or -dispersible salts, the salt conversion step being carried out partially or completely by means of a mineral or organic acid. 
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the amino-l-alkane product is a monoamine of the formula R 1  --NH 2 , R 1  being defined as in claim 1. 
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the amino-l-alkane product is a diamine of the formula   R.sub.1 --NH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2     R 1  being defined as in claim 1.   
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the acid used for the salt conversion step is acetic acid. 
     
     
       6. Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the acid use for the salt conversion step is hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
       7. Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ratio between the amino-l-alkane and the monoether-monoamine is 7:3. 
     
     
       8. Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ore is in a very finely divided state. 
     
     
       9. Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the oxidized ore is an iron ore. 
     
     
       10. Method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the iron ore is not subjected to a desliming process. 
     
     
       11. A method for enriching oxidized ores by froth flotation, wherein use is made, as collector, of a combination comprising (1) an amino-l-alkane of the formula   R.sub.1 --(NH CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2)n NH.sub.2       wherein R 1  is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon group containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and   (2) an amino-ether of the formula   R--O CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2       wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon group containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms.   
     
     
       12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the ratio between the amino-l-alkane and the amino-ether is about 3:2.